What is in this article?:

• Currently, those factors influencing the corn and soybean market include prospects for the rate of economic growth and commodity demand in China, prospects for the size of the current South American crop, and prospects for the 2012 growing season in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Important numbers

In combination with the report of winter wheat seedings released in January, the report will provide an indication of the magnitude of total planted acreage in 2012. With substantial prevented plantings last year, acreage intentions this year could be much larger than actual plantings last year.

High commodity prices, generally favorable early planting conditions, and a reduction in CRP acres could contribute to that increase.

“The report will obviously reveal planting intentions for individual crops, providing more insight into prospective crop size,” Good said. “There is general consensus that corn plantings will increase by 2 to 3 million acres, but less consensus about acreage of other crops.”

He added that a larger percentage of planted acres will be harvested in 2012 than in 2011 if weather conditions this summer are more normal.

The report will also reveal the geographic location of intended changes in acreage of individual crops, which might influence expectations about the potential U.S. average yields.

“Surprises in the report should be expected, with the magnitude of total planted acreage having the largest potential for a surprise,” Good said.

Beyond the March 30 reports, spring weather and planting conditions will be important. Early planting (or more correctly, lack of late planting) of the corn crop could have some yield implications, but may be more important for the timing of harvest in the Corn Belt.

Good said that if March 1 stocks support prospects for small year-ending stocks, an earlier than normal harvest in the Corn Belt would alleviate some of the concerns about the small inventories.

The USDA will update the forecast of year-ending stocks in the April 10 WASDE report. Forecasts of much colder weather in the week of April 2 may have some implications for planting progress.

The USDA’s first weekly Crop Progress report will be released on April 2. Individual state reports reveal substantial planting progress in the South.

“So much uncertainty about stocks, consumption, and production makes pricing decisions difficult, particularly for the 2012 crop,” Good said.

“Soybean prices have rallied sharply from the January lows and appear to be pricing in a smaller South American crop, unchanged to declining acreage in the United States, and smaller stocks by the end of the 2012-13 marketing year.

“November futures are well above the spring price guarantee for crop revenue insurance, with some looking for a move back to $14,” Good said. “Some price protection seems prudent with prices well above insurance guarantees.”

In contrast, Good said December corn futures have declined back to near the January lows and are below the insurance price guarantee in anticipation of a large crop and rebuilding of inventories during the year ahead.

“More patience may be warranted in making additional new-crop sales of corn,” Good said.